Junior League of Bronxville’s Hosts Inaugural Hometown Holiday Fair
By Victoria Thiessen, Communications VP
Dec. 14, 2022: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its inaugural "Hometown Holiday Fair" on December 1. The fundraiser took place in two formats - daytime and evening - and both were held within a heated tent in the private parking lot of event sponsor Houlihan Lawrence - Bronxville Brokerage. The JLB conceptualized this fundraiser in order to highlight its vision of “Mobilizing Women to Ignite & Inspire Community Change” within its service area of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers and to better engage the community.
The official opening of the fair commenced with a ribbon cutting that was attended by Mayor Mary Marvin of Bronxville, Houlihan Lawrence Bronxville Branch Manager Victoria Bulkley, JLB President Kristin Smith, and a number of JLB volunteers and community partners.
Among the highlights were the giant, cardboard gingerbread homes that were designed and created by five of the JLB’s long-standing community partners - Bundles of Joy, Eastchester Community Action Partnership (ECAP), Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Feeding Westchester, and Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE). A number of daytime attendees were also able to pick up their pre-ordered, edible gingerbread homes made by Topps Bakery at Bronxville, who donated a percentage of the proceeds to the JLB.
While the daytime event was open admission, the evening party was a ticketed event that sold out within five days after sales launched in October. Guests at that part of the event enjoyed bites and beverages served by Bronxville-favorite Pete's Park Place Tavern and were treated to the sounds of local band and sponsor Beautiful Buzz. They performed everything from ‘80s rock to a few seasonal surprises with guest singers!
Both events included a marketplace of vendors and a wreath raffle comprising six specially designed delights that had prizes from an array of sponsors and local businesses. Two additional event sponsors included TellTeresa, founded by Teresa Brady of Bronxville, and Prep Academy Tutors, run by locals Sarah Loader and Vanessa O’Friel.
The JLB is extremely proud of the support it receives from all local, small, and, especially, women-owned businesses.
The event was overseen by Development Task Force Chair and past President Michelle Schoulder. She was supported by JLB Co-Chairs Julie Daher and Meredith Grant. There was an entire team of JLB volunteers that worked tirelessly to pull together this new concept, including Project Manager Mandy Galati and Event Captains Beth Atsalis, Janice Baio, and Sessa von Richthofen, to name a few.
Money raised through this fundraiser supports the JLB’s outreach efforts across its five service areas. This includes, as examples, two monthly Mobile Food Pantries run in conjunction with Feeding Westchester, the Joyful Closet (based in a Mount Vernon school that supports many homeless students) with partner Bundles of Joy, a monthly Book Nook after-school reading program at ECAP in Tuckahoe, and a number of other ongoing and ad hoc outreach projects that address local needs.
Community Service Organizations Directory
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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